Dachshund

Expect a dog that attaches closely to its people and likes to be involved in whatever you are doing. The Dachshund Club of America describes the breed as clever, lively, courageous, affectionate and loving toward its family. AKC rates it 5 out of 5 for affection with family.

Size is simple: miniatures weigh 11 pounds or less and standards usually weigh 16 to 32 pounds, according to the official breed standard. AKC lists life expectancy at 12 to 16 years. A 2024 Scientific Reports study of UK dogs estimated a median of 13.2 years, which describes a population and not any one dog.

Grooming depends on the coat, and Dachshunds come in three: smooth, longhaired and wirehaired. Smooth coats usually need only an occasional brushing or a wipe with a grooming glove, perhaps a few minutes a week. Longhaired coats need brushing at least weekly, roughly 10 to 20 minutes, with extra care around the ears, chest, underside and leg feathering.

Wirehaired coats need brushing or combing once or twice a week. If you want to keep the traditional coat, plan on hand-stripping or professional grooming several times a year. A 2025 pet-care pricing report lists grooming appointments at about $50 to $125.

AKC calls Dachshunds moderate shedders, and shedding often rises in spring and fall. Bathe when the dog is dirty rather than on a fixed schedule. Clean the drop ears regularly, because poor airflow can contribute to ear problems, and trim nails about monthly. Teeth need routine home care too.

No Dachshund coat is allergy-free. The AAAAI notes that no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, and allergens come from dander, saliva and urine as well as hair.

Dachshunds can live well with respectful children, other dogs and familiar cats. These are tendencies and not guarantees. AKC rates the breed 3 out of 5 for young children and 4 out of 5 for other dogs.

Children should be supervised and taught not to pick up, drop, chase or roughly handle the dog, because the long back is easy to injure. A Dachshund that accepts the family cat may still chase unfamiliar small animals.

With visitors, the breed can be reserved or suspicious and may bark at people, doors and hallway noise. Early socialization and calm, controlled introductions help.

Apartments can work because of the dog's size. You will need daily walks, indoor enrichment, a plan for stairs and furniture jumps, and a plan for the bark. This breed tends not to suit a household that needs a reliably quiet dog, leaves the dog alone through long workdays without support, allows rough handling by children, or cannot keep up with weight and back precautions.

Good Dog lists US Dachshund puppy prices at $1,250 to $3,400 in 2026. That is a marketplace range, not a measure of breeder quality.

Rescue fees vary. Central Texas Dachshund Rescue's fees effective January 1, 2025 are $350 for puppies, $300 for dogs aged 1 to 9, $200 for seniors and $75 for senior-to-senior adoptions. Tennessee Dachshund Rescue lists $600 for puppies under six months down to $275 for dogs aged 10 or older. Confirm the current fee and what veterinary care it includes with the rescue you choose.

For yearly care, 2024 to 2025 APPA figures reported by the Insurance Information Institute average about $331 for veterinary care, $293 for food and $73 for grooming or grooming aids. Those are broad dog-owner averages and leave out many insurance and emergency situations. Local prices for food, grooming, insurance and vet visits will differ, so get quotes before you commit.

If you are still comparing, our 10 low-maintenance dog breeds list puts the Dachshund beside other dogs that suit a simpler routine, with the back-care tradeoff spelled out. To see how big a puppy is likely to become, try the puppy size guide, or browse every profile in the dog breeds hub.

For adoption, the Dachshund Club of America keeps a national rescue directory. Dachshund Rescue of North America explains its adoption process, and shelters, Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet often list Dachshunds and mixes, including adults and seniors.